The Anti-Oxidant Power of Vitamin C

      Vitamin C is probably the most well-known of the vitamin family. Although most people associate Vitamin C with oranges, it is also commonly found in other citrus fruits like lemon and kumquats in addition to cabbage and cantaloupe. Also, juices and breakfast cereals are often fortified with Vitamin C.

An interesting fact that may amaze you is that a one-half cup serving of diced raw red pepper contains 40% more Vitamin C than a medium orange. Try tossing some sliced uncooked red peppers and oranges in your salad for an antioxidant boost. 

How to know whether or not you are getting enough Vitamin C?  If your only source of the vitamin is with a once daily glass of orange juice, then you're probably not getting an ample amount of this necessary nutrient.  Vitamin C is readily absorbed and rapidly released by the body which is why it is hard to obtain your daily resources from your foods unless you are taking in five helpings of raw fruits and vegetables that have a high content of Vitamin C everyday. Unfortunately, the vitamin content is diminished with prolonged storage of food items that are fortified with the vitamin.  Aside from that, adding heat to fruits and vegetables also decreases the Vitamin C content.  For these reasons, swallowing Vitamin C supplements is highly common.

Vitamin C is a critical element in helping your body to maintain its immune system to overcome illnesses, bacterial infections and teeth loss.  While Vitamin C isn't a cure for the common cold, having an ample supply of the nutrient in your body will help rescue your body from those symptoms.  This might result in getting colds less often or at least in a milder form if you do get them. Those that are most at risk for Vitamin C deficiency includes folks that smoke, eat a small food variety, or have a chronic condition.

Research has shown that Vitamin C is well tolerated at high doses.  Still, it is important to follow the label instructions and never take more than the recommended amounts of Vitamin C supplements. Also, you should consult with your health care professional before using multi-vitamin supplements to be sure that there will not be an interaction with any medications you may be taking.

Are You Getting Enough Vitamins And Minerals?

      Are you able to obtain the suggested amounts of nutrients from your daily meals?  If you answered "yes", then you are in for a surprise. 

In 2010, the United States Government replaced the decades old Food Pyramid with new recommendations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Human Services.  The new myPlate advocates building each meal from five food groups which are fruits, grains, vegetables, protein and dairy.

Starting with a clean plate as your canvas we are going to create our meal.  Now, divide your blank canvas into four equal compartments.  Fill quadrants with a portion from each of the first four food groups previously mentioned.  The final group, dairy, can be your refreshment or a dessert.

Now that we know how to build a balanced meal, we need to understand what makes up a "healthy" meal.  A healthy dish is a collection of lean proteins like fish, poultry, beans, eggs and nuts.  Also, limiting saturated fats, cholesterol, salt and sugars is also necessary. When selecting grains, it is best to use whole grains like brown rice instead of white rice.  The preferred portion size is three to four ounces from each food category. This will translate into a 12-16 ounce meal excluding your beverage and dessert.

While selecting the above suggested dishes, it is still likely you will fall short of some of the nutrients, especially Vitamins B, C, E and A. In fact, the National Institute of Medicine recommends the daily intake of greater than 20 vitamins and minerals.  Additionally, a higher dose of certain vitamins is recommended for pregnant women and senior citizens.  Also, some ailments and diseases can drain your quantity of important vitamins and minerals. 

If you are still feeling tired although you are eating a well sensible diet you could be in short supply of some vitamins.  Actually, a vitamin B deficiency can result in anemia. The Vitamin B family is an important anti-oxidant for retaining great looking skin, metabolism and immune system to maintain your strength.

In summary, while it is possible to get many of your daily vitamins and minerals from eating a healthy diet, many people will benefit from multi-vitamin supplements to ensure the best possible health and fitness.

Reducing Your Risk Of Heart Problems

      Have you heard about Coenzyme q10?  This is a desirable health supplement that has been on the market for a long time.  Even though there have been numerous research studies and clinical trials during the past decade, still many individuals are not very familiar with it or its practical advantages.

If you already have knowledge of this supplement than you know how it can help lower their cholesterol, lower their blood pressure and help prevent oral disease.  Also, there are studies that are currently being done to discover if it is useful in aiding those with Parkinson’s disease as well as in preventing side effects from chemotherapy treatments. 

Heart disease is definitely one of the main causes of death among people in the U.S.  There are people that suffer from high cholesterol and/or high blood pressure that has lead to heart troubles.  But,can it save your life? In fact, a preliminary research study found that using co-enzyme q10 with mild hypothermia immediately after CPR appears to improve survival of cardiac arrest.  It is not unusual for individuals that are looking for a alternative remedy oftentimes utilize vitamin and mineral supplements to help strengthen their quality of life and have discovered co-enzyme q10, a natural enzyme.

Healthy individuals that experience no health concerns use nutritional supplements to keep their body's system in shape and to be sure that their cells have an adequate supply of nutrients.  Some of those will attribute their long term health to the supplements they take.  For that reason, many people are utilizing CoQ10 to help ensure they remain as healthy as possible. It is recommended that anyone looking for dietary supplements need to make sure they understand how it works and the benefits to expect.

As supplements remain popular, more studies and clinical trials will become more commonplace along with the advantage of additional scientific data. The shift towards nutritional supplements demonstrates the desire for many people that they want natural supplements that will help improve their well-being rather than consuming chemicals made by labs.